Progressive Kick to Match Taylor and Painter Donations

Progressive Kick has picked state-level candidates around the country and will match donations to those candidates made on Progressive Kick's Act Blue site. There are two Pennsylvania state rep candidates from this part of the state on their list. Rick Taylor (D-151) is running for his third term. I happen to know his 41st birthday is coming up (he's having a combined birthday / Eagles watch party this weekend -- see his facebook page for details.) The other is Mark Painter, the Democratic candidate for the 146th district.

Statement from John Toth

from the inbox:

STATEMENT BY JOHN TOTH
DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR THE 142nd HOUSE DISTRICT

All my life, I have lived by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Navy taught me to be responsible for my own actions, to have the integrity to stand up when I see wrongdoing, and perhaps most importantly, to speak truth to power.

Unfortunately, Frank Farry has decided to live by a different Golden Rule. To Frank, it is silence that is golden.

In 2008, Frank ran a campaign that attacked his opponent for refusing to call out Representative Bill DeWeese, who was under investigation at the time and who was later arrested for corruption. Candidate Farry said that it was not enough to criticize behind closed doors. In 2010, though, Representative Farry is singing—or NOT singing—from a different song sheet.

Integrity sometimes requires you to do things that are painful. Integrity sometimes requires you to do things that are not politically expedient. Pennsylvania needs legislators willing to stand-­‐up for what is right, not stand mute, captive to their own hypocritical self-­‐interests. You've gotta be willing to point the finger when you see wrongdoing, even if it needs to pointed at your own party. Frank Farry just
can't seem to do that.

Instead he continues to stand silent. Painfully silent.

In 2007, when the Attorney General started investigating Farry’s powerful political ally, Representative John Perzel, Frank said nothing.

In 2008, when Perzel's home was raided, Frank said nothing.

In fact, EVEN AFTER THE RAID, Frank collected $21,000 in campaign contributions from his friend John Perzel.

All the while, Frank thundered away at his then-­‐Democratic opponent for not speaking
up about Bill DeWeese. Frank was able to find the courage to speak when it concerned his opponent and the opposite party.

But in 2009, when Frank Farry’s political patron was brought to court in handcuffs to face corruption charges, Frank said nothing.

Not a word.

Not even a peep from Frank about John Perzel or the $21,000 in campaign contributions.

Frank hasn't uttered a single word of protest or complaint regarding Representative John Perzel despite his arrest and disgrace for allegedly ripping-­‐off taxpayers.

That's wrong.

Has he returned the money received from Perzel. Nope.

That's wrong, too.

I call upon Frank Farry to stand up for integrity and speak truth to power. Call upon Representative John Perzel to resign and return or contribute to charity the $21,000.

Have the courage of your convictions.

The hypocrisy has to end. I’m not afraid to call for the resignation of each and every legislator who has been arrested on corruption charges. That includes Republicans as well as Democrats.

That’s what doing unto others as you would have them do unto you means. That’s accountability—and I hope that my constituents will hold me accountable for my actions, just as I am holding Frank accountable for his inaction.

I'm not afraid to say that. But Frank is. And that's a key difference between the two of us.

An Update on the 146th State House Race

Last March I posted a brief note on the 146th state house race, between incumbent Republican Tom Quigley and Democratic challenger Mark Painter. At that time Painter didn't have a campaign website -- now he does: www.markpainterstaterep.com/ The campaign also has a facebook page.

He has interesting biography on the site:

Mark is an eighth-generation Pennsylvania German. He grew up in Stowe, where his father worked at the Stanley G. Flagg Co. plant. His mother is the daughter of Polish immigrant coal miners.

He graduated from Pottsgrove High School, class of 1975, and went on to the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship, where he earned degrees in electrical engineering and law. There he met his wife, Coleen, a United Methodist minister and retired Army Reserve chaplain. They married in 1981.

Mark and Coleen raised two refugee foster children from Southeast Asia and two biological sons, who have autism. The experience of having disabled children led Mark into the field of special education law, where he represented parents advocating for better services from their school districts.

In 1997, Mark was elected tax collector in Limerick, where he became known for giving back tens of thousands of dollars of his salary to Limerick's parks and fire companies.

He attends St. James Lutheran Church in Limerick, where he also teaches Sunday School, and is on the Board of Directors of the Royersford Free Public Library and Royersford Community Chest.

I haven't fact checked any of it, but, wow, that's an interested life story.

He lists the standard topics on his issues page -- education, job creation, etc. However, one thing that jumped out at me is one of his stands on taxes. Painter is a former tax collector. He recommends that the state collect local earned income tax where applicable instead of paying outside vendors like Berkheimer Associates. He also advocates for taxing unearned income as well.

Paul Drucker Launches New Website

State Rep. Paul Drucker (D-157) is running for his second term and has launched his campaign website: www.pauldrucker.com. The 157th Legislative District is comprised of the townships of Tredyffrin & Schuylkill, and the Borough of Phoenixville in Chester County. It also includes several sections of Montgomery County in the townships of Lower Providence and West Norriton.

Adopt a Matt Bradford Sign

This is clever, from the Matt Bradford campaign:

How would you like to adopt your very own pet lawn sign? We have well behaved lawn signs looking for good homes. These adorable Bradford campaign signs take minimal care.

No need to worry about vaccinations or accidents in the house with a pet sign. All a pet sign needs is to be lovingly placed in your yard with a clear view of the street. They just love to watch traffic go by. When you go on vacation, you don’t have to worry about taking your pet lawn sign to a kennel. The only clean-up needed, is to bring your pet sign indoors for the summer. Your sign will then be well rested for their playtime outside again in the fall. Here are pictures of some of our pet signs out playing in the yard.

Democratic Candidates for 195th House District

Long time state representative Frank Oliver is retiring. His district, the 195th, represents part of Philadelphia, and includes Drexel University, Mantua, and across the Schuylkill up to around W. Dauphin St., ending somewhere between N. 21st and Broad St. As convoluted as that sounds it is actually a more compact district than many in the city. His longtime aide Michelle Brownlee is running (can't find a campaign site for her).

Another Democrat, Chris Rooney, is also running. Rooney, an attorney, is a graduate of Temple and Penn and lives in the Fairmount section of the district. His website, www.voterooney.org has several short issue statements. According to his biographical statement he rides SEPTA, always a good thing. Voters in that district might want to take a look.